Read City Planning Division's Short Term Rental Briefing Sheet Here


The Daily City got the Short Term Rentals briefing sheet the City of Orlando Planning Division will present at the public hearing at the Municipal Planning Board on November 21, 2017 at City Hall 2nd floor, City Council Chambers, 8:30am. See below. 

We told you October 7th that the Planning Division is requesting an Amendment to the Short Term Rental Land Development Code to allow “hosted” short-term rental visits of a single booking in residential zoning districts. Hosted means there is a homeowner or tenant occupying the primary residence. This Amendment change is tentatively scheduled for 

City of Orlando Press Secretary Cassandra Lafser told The Daily City "We are still very much in the research phase and there are not a lot of specifics at this time. We are working towards bringing something forward later this year or early next year." 

Briefing Sheet
October 2017
Potential Options
  1. Do nothing. This would restrict short-term rentals (less than 30 days) to the existing code regulations – commercial dwelling units in limited zoning districts. Should still consider requiring BTR and possibly other licensing device. Would require cooperation from on-line platforms to provide addresses/contact information for advertising property owners. Allows for easy complaint based code enforcement.
  2. Preferred Option: Allow “hosting” guests in individual bedrooms in both single family houses and multi-family developments as accessory uses. The primary use is residential housing whether owner or long-term tenant occupied. Consider the following:
  • Allow in all residential zoning districts.
  • Must be a conforming lot/residential structure.
  • Property owner/operator must live on site, and be present when hosting guests.
  • Limit to allow one booking reservation only (or an accessory cottage).
  • Additional parking could be required to provide for the guest’s parking needs.
  • Prohibit special events/parties (weddings, concerts, guests of registered guests). These would hopefully be limited anyway due to the “host” having to live on site.
  • Support the County Comptroller’s efforts to capture tourist taxes directly from on-line platforms.
  • Require short-term “host” licensing/registration. Requirements for licensing could include:
  • Licensee must be a legal resident of the United States
  • Licensee must have permission from the landlord or property owner to operate a short term rental (if applicable).
  • Unit must be the licensees primary residence (will need definition and proof requirements).
  • Licensee may be required to possess a valid Business Tax Receipt (or the “registration”). 
Analysis of Preferred Option
It is staff’s position “host” units within occupied dwellings could benefit the City in the following ways:

  • Provides an extra source of income for homeowners/tenants. Fixed income households, lower income households, students and other homeowners could supplement their income and stabilize their long-term housing situation, while encouraging home ownership.
  • Reduces the potential impacts that the short-term rental of entire dwelling units could have on housing affordability. Allowing entire single-family residences or multi-family units to be used as short-term rental units may reduce the housing stock available to the people who live and work in the City. Nearly 45% of the City’s population is housing “cost burdened”.
  • Promotes tourism with the City. Allows tourists the opportunity to experience urban Orlando, including our Downtown, Main Street Districts, Traditional City and other unique areas not typically visited.  A “host” offers the potential for enhanced cultural exchange an international destination like Orlando could provide.
  • Provides a temporary housing option for residents who may have an emergent need for short-term accommodations.
  • Protects the character of a neighborhood. Prohibiting the short-term rental of entire dwelling units will limit the ability of corporations and/or investors to buy multiple properties with the intent of running a short-term rental business. This type of business could result in a “dark streets” phenomenon that has occurred in other cities (e.g. New Orleans, Brooklyn, etc.).
  • Reduces the potential for noise, parking and traffic nuisances by requiring the permanent resident to “host” visitors.
  • Supports the “sharing economy”, which is likely to be occur with or without the City’s regulation; enhances Orlando’s reputation as a leader of emerging technologies and platforms.